Recall 23V797 affects 486 2014-2015 BMW X3, X5, and X4 vehicles for a driver's air bag inflator explosion. Free repair at franchised BMW dealers.
BMW is recalling 486 2014-2015 X3, X5, and X4 vehicles under recall 23V797 because the driver's air bag inflator can explode during deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death, and BMW dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver front air bag in the 2014-2015 BMW X3, X5, and X4 is built to inflate in a crash and cushion the driver. Its inflator is the metal canister inside the air bag module that creates gas fast enough to fill the bag when the restraint system commands deployment.
On affected BMW vehicles, the Takata PSDI-X driver front air bag inflator was built during a supplier production period tied to a manufacturing defect. During deployment, that defect can cause abnormal pressure inside the inflator. Instead of releasing gas in a controlled way, the inflator housing is at risk of rupturing or exploding as the air bag deploys.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the inflator, so the vehicle is not expected to show a light, sound, smell, or change in normal driving before the air bag deploys.
Who's affected?
Spans the X3, X5, and X4 across the 2014 and 2015 model years, all tied to the driver front air bag.
| 2014 BMW X3 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2014 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2014 BMW X4 | front air bag |
| 2015 BMW X4 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 486 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The driver's front air bag inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2014-2015 BMW X3, X5, or X4 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free driver's front air bag replacement that removes the defective inflator.
- Bring the owner letter if you received one. If not, reference recall number 23V797 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair; the recalled driver's air bag inflator can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the driver's front air bag covered by recall 23V797. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. BMW's standard reimbursement plan covers owners who paid out of pocket for this same remedy before the recall notice. Bring documentation of the paid repair to the service desk, or contact BMW customer service to start the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 24, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 27, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| November 27, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 16, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 16, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 19, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V797?
Recall 23V797 covers 486 2014-2015 BMW X3, X5, and X4 vehicles with a driver's front air bag inflator that can explode during deployment because of a manufacturing defect. BMW dealers will replace the driver's front air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 BMW X3, X5, or X4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V797. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the driver's front air bag replacement. Reference recall number 23V797 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW will replace the driver's front air bag free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer. You can also contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious injury or death from sharp metal fragments. If the driver's air bag deploys and the inflator explodes, fragments can strike the driver or other occupants. The fix is a free driver's front air bag replacement at a franchised BMW dealer.
When were owners notified about recall 23V797?
BMW mailed owner notification letters on January 19, 2024. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific BMW is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer with recall number 23V797.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V797000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V797 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V797000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →